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Top Red Wings Prospect Poised To Make Major Career Leap

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By all indications, the Michigan State Spartans are set to welcome a highly touted goaltending prospect to their crease, which could have major implications for the career trajectory of one of the most exciting prospects for the Detroit Red Wings.

As reported by current NHL Insider (and longtime former NHL goaltender in his own right) Kevin Weekes, the Spartans are expected to welcome 2025 first-round (30th overall) pick Joshua Ravensbergen to the club next season. 

This opens the door for Trey Augustine, Detroit's second-round (41st overall) pick from the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, to begin his professional career next season, likely with the Grand Rapids Griffins. 

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Augustine has enjoyed a spectacular season in East Lansing, having gone 17-5 with a sparkling 1.73 goals-against average, a .938 save percentage, and three shutouts. 

In fact, he was recently suggested as a prime candidate for consideration for the Mike Richter Award, given to the best goalie in NCAA Division I men's hockey, by NHL.com correspondent Mike Divver. 

He's also enjoyed success on the international stage by backstopping the United States to consecutive gold medal victories in 2024 and 2025.

This past summer, he was listed as fifth overall in an NHL ranking of the best goaltenders aged 25 or younger.

Speaking of goaltenders within the Red Wings' system, Sebastian Cossa has made the most of what he described before the season as an important opportunity with the Griffins. 

His 18-2-2 record for the Griffins this season is the best of any starter in the American Hockey League; he's also posted equally impressive stats of a 1.77 goals-against average and a .933 save percentage, along with four shutouts. 

Widely regarded as Detroit's goaltender of the future, Cossa could conceivably begin next season as the backup to John Gibson in the Red Wings' crease, which would also clear the way for Augustine to begin getting starts in the AHL. 

Playing in the final season of his current contract with a $863,333 cap hit, Cossa will be re-signed and will challenge for the backup position at the NHL level in the fall when Training Camp begins. 

The future of 38-year-old veteran Cam Talbot, who is in the second and final year of his deal with the Red Wings, remains to be seen. 

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Sabres Facing Major Test In A "Must-Win" Game Against Sputtering Maple Leafs

Alex Lyn (left); Auston Matthews (right) -- (Timothy T. Ludwig USA TODAY Images)
Alex Lyn (left); Auston Matthews (right) -- (Timothy T. Ludwig USA TODAY Images)

After their 10-game win streak ended on New Year’s Eve, the Buffalo Sabres could’ve gone in one of two directions – either down the standings by going on a losing streak, or by pushing further up the Eastern Conference and Atlantic Division standings and moving into a top-three spot in the division.

To the utter elation of Sabres fans, Buffalo has risen to third place in the Atlantic with a 29-17-5 record. And since that 5-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets ended their 10-game win streak, the Sabres have gone 8-2-1. It’s now clear that initial surge was no fluke, and that Buffalo is a legitimate Stanley Cup playoff contender. 

"The Big Show"

But that sustained excellence still needs to be sustained the rest of the way this year. And that’s why Buffalo’s next game – against the Toronto Maple Leafs, on Tuesday night in Toronto – feels like a must-win.

For one thing, the Sabres need to win this game to send a message to the sputtering Leafs, who trail them by six points. You want to snuff out any possibility of a resurgence by Toronto, and the way you do that is by beating the Leafs on Tuesday.

Secondly, the NHL’s Olympic break is fast-approaching, and you want to do that on a winning note. And given the fact that the Sabres have six games before the break – with tilts against Toronto, the Los Angeles Kings, Montreal Canadiens, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning and Pittsburgh Penguins – Buffalo needs every two points it can earn.

Sabres Make Minor Trade, But Here's Why Buffalo Needs To Make A Major Move Sabres Make Minor Trade, But Here's Why Buffalo Needs To Make A Major Move The Buffalo Sabres made a minor trade of AHL players. But it's time for the Sabres to swing big and acquire game-changing talent like Vancouver, Rangers and Flames veteran stars.

Thus, the Sabres can’t take their foot off the gas. If they are going to end their playoff drought at 14 years, Buffalo has to assert themselves in the coming days, weeks and months. And beating a longtime rival in the Leafs would send a message to Toronto and the rest of the NHL.

That message: “We didn’t get where we are this season by a fluke. We’re good because we’re good.” And losing to Toronto, which has been absolutely terrible in recent days, would send another message – “We can’t be relied on to put our foot on the necks of our opponents”.

Sabres' Lucrative Deal For Youngster Doan Is A Gamble – But A Good One Sabres' Lucrative Deal For Youngster Doan Is A Gamble – But A Good One The Buffalo Sabres signed young winger Josh Doan to a lucrative contract extension. The deal is a gamble for the Sabres, but it's a good one,

The Leafs game will be a great metric of where the Sabres are. Toronto is desperate for a win, and if Buffalo beats them, it’ll be another nail in the Leafs’ coffin.

That would send Sabres fans over the moon with glee. But it’s up to Buffalo whether they pounce on a weak opponent. The Sabres have to be the alpha-dog, and that process has to be continuing against a wobbly Leafs team.

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Forward David Pastrnak becomes 6th Bruins player to reach 900 career points

BOSTON (AP) — Bruins forward David Pastrnak became the sixth Boston player with 900 career points when he picked up his third assist in Monday night's game against the New York Rangers.

The 29-year-old Pastrnak assisted on Elias Lindholm's goals in the first and second periods at Madison Square Garden and reached the milestone on Morgan Geekie's score at 8:52 of the second that gave the Bruins a 3-2 lead.

Pastrnak, from the Czech Republic, was the 25th overall pick by the Bruins in the 2014 draft. He joins Ray Bourque (1,506), Johnny Bucyk (1,339), Patrice Bergeron (1,040), Phil Esposito (1,012) and Brad Marchand (976) in Boston's 900-point club.

In 48 games this season, Pastrnak has 21 goals, 46 assists. In 804 career games, he has 412 goals and 488 assists.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

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Warriors vs. Timberwolves injury report: Steph Curry, Draymond Green out

Steph Curry and Draymond Green dapping hands, with Jimmy Butler III and Will Richard in the background.

The Golden State Warriors are looking for back-to-back wins in their road baseball series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, after cruising to a 111-85 win on Sunday night. But the second win will be much, much harder to come by, as the Warriors are playing without nearly all of their key players.

Here’s the full injury report for the game.

Warriors

Out — Steph Curry (right patellofemoral inflammation)

Curry got a bit banged up in Sunday’s win and, as a result, we’re all deprived of getting to watch the greatest show in sports tonight. Thankfully it doesn’t appear to be anything serious.

Out — Draymond Green (left low back soreness)

Yep, no Draymond, either. The Warriors will be without their offensive leader and their defensive leader.

Out — Jimmy Butler III (right ACL tear)

You know the drill by now. It still sucks, though.

Out — Jonathan Kuminga (left knee bone bruise)

It’s a big bummer that Kuminga got hurt right as he re-joined the rotation. I would have loved to see him play tonight with so much of the team sidelined. He would have had a big role. Hopefully he’s back on the court soon.

Out — Al Horford (left toe injury management)

Horford played on the front end of the back-to-back, so he was never going to play tonight.

Out — De’Anthony Melton (left knee injury management)

It seems the Warriors are going to rest Melton on a lot of back-to-backs, which makes sense. He is still getting fully up to speed after recovering from his ACL tear.

Out — Seth Curry (left sciatic nerve irritation)

The younger Curry remains out, though a return is getting closer.

Out — LJ Cryer (left hamstring tightness)

It’s a bummer for Cryer that he can’t play, as everyone healthy should see sizable minutes. Cryer has played just eight minutes in his young NBA career, and surely would have gotten some significant run in this game if he were healthy.

Wolves

Out — Anthony Edwards (right foot injury maintenance)

The Wolves are much healthier than the Dubs but, like the Warriors, they’ll be without their superstar and face of the franchise.

Out — Terrence Shannon Jr. (left foot abductor hallucis strain)

A late first-round pick in the 2024 draft, Shannon has been sidelined for a month in his sophomore season. He hasn’t played since Christmas.

Enjoy the game, Dub Nation. It kicks off at 6:30 p.m. PT on Peacock.

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Carlos Mendoza’s first look at Bo Bichette playing third a positive sign for remade Mets

Bo Bichette in a Mets uniform shakes hands with manager Carlos Mendoza.
Bo Bichette poses with manager Carlos Mendoza at his introductory press conference at Citi Field, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Queens, NY.

Bo Bichette’s transformation into a third baseman is already underway.

The former shortstop, who recently arrived to the Mets on a three-year contract worth $126 million, worked out in front of manager Carlos Mendoza on Monday in Port St. Lucie, Fla., three weeks before position players are due to report to spring training.

The early reviews were positive, Mendoza told Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman on “The Show” podcast.

“He’s an athlete,” Mendoza said. “We’re looking at a guy that has played shortstop pretty much his whole career. And just watching him today, moving around third base, taking ground balls, creating angles and then the throws to first base, I was telling him, ‘It looks like you played there before.’ ”

Bichette, who played in the 2025 World Series with the Blue Jays, isn’t the only Mets player learning a new position: The team also signed Jorge Polanco to a two-year contract worth $40 million to move to first base, a position that became open after Pete Alonso accepted a five-year deal worth $155 million with the Orioles.

Bo Bichette poses with manager Carlos Mendoza at his introductory press conference at Citi Field, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Queens, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

Polanco has only one career appearance at first base. Brett Baty (displaced at third with Bichette’s signing) and Mark Vientos also figure into the equation at first base.

“[Polanco] is a guy that came up as a shortstop, playing in the middle of the diamond,” Mendoza said. “He moves around as well and the same thing with Baty and Vientos, guys who have got some experience there. But I feel like it’s going to take some time getting used to some game action.”

Mendoza was also asked about team chemistry — The Post reported in November that Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto had a frosty relationship. Soto last year was in his first season in Queens after signing a record $765 million contract.

Francisco Lindor #12 of the New York Mets is greeted by Juan Soto #22 of the New York Mets after he scores on his solo home run during the first inning. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post

“It’s two very different guys,” Mendoza said. “Soto is very businesslike. He’s a guy that comes in, he’s going through his process. Lindor is more outgoing, like what you see on the field — the big smile. And that guy, whether we win or lose, is going to be the same guy. He cares. Obviously, they both care. And I feel like because of who they are individually, it’s a relationship that they care about winning. They care about each other. They care about their teammates. But they’re two different personalities.”

Mendoza will have a new arm atop his rotation following the trade last week that brought Freddy Peralta from the Brewers for Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat.

“We all know the type of arm, the type of pitcher that [Peralta] is, a guy that’s pitching at the front of the rotation,” Mendoza said. “But as soon as we acquired him, I got on the phone with a lot of people that have been around him, and everybody keeps telling me he’s the quality of the person, how good of a human being he is and how much he cares about his teammates, about people. And that was one of the things that he mentioned to me when I got on the phone with him. It’s like, ‘I’m planning on reporting early to Port St. Lucie so I can start meeting a lot of the new faces.’ That goes to show you the type of guy he is.”

Mendoza was spared amid a coaching staff shake-up following the nosedive that kept the Mets from reaching the playoffs last season. He will be entering the final year of his contract.

“I have a great opportunity in front of me,” Mendoza said. “You get an owner that is willing to put all the resources in order to accomplish the ultimate goal. And you have a front office that continues to make moves to continue to improve our roster. And now it’s up to us, you know, and me as the manager in this situation is a great opportunity. I know where I stand.”

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Canucks place winger Boeser and defenseman Buium on injured reserve

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — The Vancouver Canucks added two more names to their extensive list of injured players.

Vancouver on Monday placed winger Brock Boeser and defenseman Zeev Buium on injured reserve after getting hurt in Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Boeser caught an elbow to the head from Pittsburgh's Bryan Rust in the final seconds of the game while stationed at the top of the Penguins' crease and crumpled to the ice.

NHL Player Safety posted on X, formerly Twitter, that Rust will have a hearing Tuesday about the hit to Boeser’s head.

Buium was hit in the face with a puck in the first period, but returned wearing a bubble visor on his helmet and finished with 15:41 in ice time in the game.

Boeser and Buium join goalie Thatcher Demko (undisclosed), defenseman Derek Forbort (undisclosed) and center Marco Rossi (lower-body injury) on the injured list.

Vancouver recalled forward Jonathan Lekkerimaki and defenseman Victor Mancini from the Abbotsford Canucks of the American Hockey League on Monday.

The Canucks host the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

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Royals sign reliever Héctor Neris to minor league deal

The Royals have signed 36-year-old right-hander Héctor Neris to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training, according to New York Post reporter Jon Heyman. Neris pitched for the Braves, Angels, and Astros last year, posting a 6.75 ERA but with 35 strikeouts in 26.2 innings. He had 18 saves in 62 games with a 4.10 ERA in 2024, and was a 2.6 rWAR pitcher in 2023.

Neris has pitched in 643 career MLB games over 12 seasons, with 107 career saves. From 2021 to 2023 he posted a 3.03 ERA with 11.0 strikeouts-per-nine innings. He can still miss bats, but his walk rate spiked upwards. Neris relies heavily on a split-fingered fastball that opponents hit just .182 against. But opponents hammered his 92 mph four-seamer, batting .366 against the heater. Neris posted a 29 percent groundball rate last year, the lowest of his career.

The Royals’ bullpen will feature Carlos Estévez, Lucas Erceg, Matt Strahm, John Schreiber, Nick Mears, and Daniel Lynch IV. Two more spots will be up for grabs with Neris likely competing for a spot with Steven Cruz, James McArthur, Ryan Bergert, Stephen Kolek, Bailey Falter, Mason Black, Alex Lange, and Luinder Avila.

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Egor Demin chosen for Rising Stars competition at All-Star Weekend

Egor Demin, the Brooklyn Nets’ first lottery pick in 15 years, has been selected for the NBA’s Rising Stars Competition at All-Star Weekend, the league announced Monday afternoon. The selection for the competition that features rookies, sophomores and G League stars, takes place at 9:00 p.m. ET February 13 at the Intuit Dome, home of the Los Angeles Clippers, the first night of three-night weekend.

The 6’9” guard is one of 10 rookies, 11 sophomores and seven G Leaguers to make the team.

Michael Porter Jr. will learn his All-Star fate on Sunday when All-Star reserves will be revealed but Demin’s selection ensures that Brooklyn will have at least representation at the 75th All-Star Game. MPJ has never made an All-Star Game. Skill competition participants will also be announced soon, but no Nets are likely to be selected for that.

Demin is the first Brooklyn Net to be selected for the Rising Stars competition since 2019 when the competition was rookies vs. sophomores. Rodions Kurucs was named to the rookie squad and Jarrett Allen to the sophomores.

Demin, a native of Moscow and a BYU product, was taken at No. 8 in the first round at the end of June and after playing in the Summer League in Las Vegas, he spent two months rehabbing from plantar fascia before finally joining the Nets in preseason. In the regular season, Demin is averaging 10.2 points, 3.4 assists and 3.3 rebounds while shooting 40/40/85 for the season. He is the 11th youngest player in the NBA.

For Demin, it’s another recognition and for the Nets front office, justification for what was at the time an unpopular pick. In the days and weeks leading up to the Draft, Demin was seen as a precocious playmaker but a limited shooter. Since then, he’s shown that not only can he shoot, but he can shoot at a high volume and in clutch moments.

In fact, other than than Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel, Demin is arguably the 2025-26 rookie class’s best volume shooter from deep. And other than last month, he’s been the class’s top volume shooter, hitting 47.1% of 6.4 attempts per game. Knueppel, who’s on an historic run, is hitting 39.0% of 6.3 attempts.

Demin is one of five first-round picks the Nets selected in June, a record haul. The others were Nolan Traore, taken at No. 19; Drake Powell at No. 22; Ben Saraf at No. 26 and Danny Wolf at No. 27.

NBA assistant coaches determined the pool of 21 NBA players, with each team submitting one ballot. Voters ranked 10 rookies and 10 sophomores, with more points assigned to higher placements. The top 10 rookies and top 10 sophomores by point total earned spots. The final spot was awarded to the higher-scoring player among the 11th-ranked finishers in each class. The pool includes one more sophomore than rookie based on total points received.

The players will be divided into four teams for the competition, with a draft run by four honorary coaches taking place Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. ET…

In what is described as a mini-tournament, Team A will face Team B in the first semifinal (Game 1), and Team C will play Team D in the second semifinal (Game 2). The winner of Game 1 will meet the winner of Game 2 in the championship (Game 3).

For each semifinal game, the winner will be the first team to reach or surpass 40 points. For the championship game, the winner will be the first team to reach or surpass 25 points.

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Dodgers manager Dave Roberts makes his case to lead Team USA at 2028 Olympics

There’s a very real chance that major league players could participate in the Olympics for the first time. If they do, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has strong feelings about who should lead Team USA at the 2028 Summer Games.

Himself.

“I want to manage the Olympic team,” Roberts told the California Post. “That’s what I want to do. In L.A., I want to manage that team.”

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts celebrates on the podium after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2025 MLB World Series. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Roberts went on to list his qualifications.

The Olympics will be in Los Angeles and the baseball competition will be staged at Dodger Stadium.

“I went to school here,” the UCLA graduate said. “I manage the Dodgers.

“It’s a no-brainer.”

Roberts also represented the United States at the 1999 Pan American Games. Because the U.S. finished second, it qualified for the 2000 Olympics, at which it won a gold medal with Tommy Lasorda as its manager.

Something else Roberts didn’t mention: The son of an African American father and Japanese mother, he reflects the wide range of cultures that can be found in Los Angeles.

Want patriotism?

Roberts’ late father, Waymon, spent three decades in the Marines.

“In L.A., I want to manage that team,” Roberts said. “No one’s more relevant to do that than me.”

Bryce Harper has said he wants to play in the Olympics. So has Shohei Ohtani.

The 2028 Summer Olympics will be held in Los Angeles. AP

“Of course,” Ohtani said in 2024.

Because Major League Baseball has refused to pause its season to release players for an international competition it doesn’t control, the United States has fielded teams consisting of collegians or minor leaguers at previous Olympics. Japan has used players from its professional league in each of the last four Games in which baseball was included.

For players such as Ohtani and Harper to be cleared to play, an agreement must be reached between Major League Baseball, the players’ union and LA28, the organizing committee for the 2028 Olympics. 

Commissioner Rob Manfred has sounded increasingly optimistic that a deal could be made. A major obstacle was removed in November when LA28 announced a new schedule for its baseball, with the competition requiring just a slightly extended All-Star break from MLB.

The opening game of the Olympic tournament is now slated to take place on July 13, a day before the opening ceremony. The final would be on July 19.

Under that scenario, MLB could be able to hold its annual All-Star Game on its traditional Tuesday date on July 11.

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Stephen Curry, Draymond Green to miss Warriors' game at Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Stephen Curry and Draymond Green won't play for Golden State on Monday night at Minnesota due to injuries. Anthony Edwards will rest for the Wolves.

Both Golden State players suited up Sunday afternoon as the Warriors won in Minneapolis. But coach Steve Kerr said Curry's balky right knee was causing him enough trouble on Monday morning to rule him out.

Green is sidelined with a back injury.

Kerr expressed hope that both players would be back in the lineup for Wednesday's game at Utah.

The Warriors were already short-handed after losing forward Jimmy Butler for the season with a torn ACL. Forward Jonathan Kuminga also will sit out with a bone bruise and a hyperextended left knee.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

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Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt Injury Report: JQ and Frankie Collins out; Duke Miles questionable

The Kentucky Wildcats and Vanderbilt Commodores will both be without key players for their Tuesday matchup in Nashville.

For Kentucky, Jayden Quaintance, Jaland Lowe, and Kam Williams remain out. Lowe is having season-ending shoulder surgery, while Williams recently underwent foot surgery and could return later this season if all goes well, though no definitive timetable has been given yet.

As for Quaintance, he remains sidelined with swelling in his surgically-repaired knee. This will be his sixth game missed since initially being ruled out ahead of the Mississippi State game on January 10.

For the Commodores, the big absence is point guard Frankie Collins, who is recovering from surgery on a torn meniscus in December and is listed as out. The fifth-year senior is averaging 7.8 points (38.2% from the field and 25% from deep), 4.7 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.4 steals per contest. Vandy was 9-0 with him in the lineup and has gone 6-3 in his absence.

The Commodores have a surprise addition to the injury report in starting guard Duke Miles, who is listed as questionable to play. Miles logged 28 minutes in Saturday’s win at Mississippi State while going for 17 points, seven steals, four assists, and three rebounds.

For the season, Miles is averaging 16.6 points (45.1% from the field and 34.1% from deep), 3.1 assists, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.8 steals per game.

Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt Injury Report

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Maple Leafs' William Nylander fined $5,000 for obscene gesture on TV

Injured Toronto Maple Leafs star William Nylander flashed his middle finger during Sunday's game when he noticed a TV camera was filming him and other non-playing teammates in the press box.

The gesture cost him $5,000 on Monday, Jan. 26.

The NHL said he was fined the maximum amount because he violated a policy that "prohibits inappropriate and offensive remarks, and the use of obscene, profane or abusive language or gestures in the game."

“This serves as a reminder the code of conduct governing players extends throughout the arena at NHL games and in public game situations," NHL disciplinarian George Parros said in a statement.

Nylander suffered a groin muscle injury on Jan. 15 and went on the injured list on the 19th. Sunday's game was the fifth one he missed. The last four have been losses.

He apologized on social media on Sunday for his "moment of frustration" and also Monday in person during a meeting with reporters.

"I'm just not playing," he said of why he's frustrated. "I just want to be out there with the guys."

He said he received a text message right after the gesture was shown on the TV broadcast.

"I was like, 'Not a good idea, not a good thing to do,'" he said. "Like I said, I apologize about that."

Nylander, who sat out 10 other games with injury this season, said he hopes to return to action during the team's upcoming road trip, which runs from Jan. 29 to Feb. 3.

He has also been named to Swedish Olympic team.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Maple Leafs' William Nylander fined for obscene gesture

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Lakers success riding on Hachimura embracing sixth man role

Rui Hachimura is making it clear – through his words off of the court and his actions on the court – that he’s willing to do what’s needed to help the Lakers win. 

And that’s a welcomed sight for a Lakers coaching staff, led by JJ Redick, that’s on the precipice of making an important decision when it comes to Hachimura.

Rui Hachimura leaps to keep the ball in bounds as Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington looks on. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

With star guard Austin Reaves set to make his return to the court as soon as this week after missing the last month because of left calf strain, the Lakers will have to make a decision about their starting lineup. 

Even if it’s not in his first game back, which could be as soon as Wednesday night against the Cavaliers in Cleveland, Reaves will rejoin the first unit permanently. Reaves will likely replace either Marcus Smart or Jake LaRavia, who’ve started alongside Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Deandre Ayton when available since late December after Hachimura started to miss time with a right calf strain.

But will Hachimura also rejoin the first unit after starting the first 30 games he played in before missing time with the calf injury? He’s been a full-time starter for the Lakers since February 2024. 

Or will he continue to be used as a reserve, like he has in the seven games he’s played since returning from injury? 

“We’ll assess things as they go,” Redick responded when asked about the plans for the starting lineup. “The reality is that until Austin’s back, we’re going to go with [the Doncic-Smart-LaRavia-James-Ayton starting] lineup, and then we’ll figure out the best path forward.” 

The reality, for the Lakers, is that their best path forward is for Hachimura to embrace a role as a reserve if and when the team is fully healthy.

Let’s get the obvious out of the way: as All-NBA-/All-Star-caliber players, Doncic, Reaves and James are starting when they’re available. And even with Ayton’s struggles as of late, the Lakers need to start a traditionally-sized center.

Hachimura reacts after scoring during the fourth quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on January 24, 2026. Getty Images

That leaves one starting spot left.

Even though Hachimura brings important skills and attributes to the floor — spacing (42% on 3s over the last three seasons), cutting and knowing how to play without the ball, which is especially important next to star players — the Lakers need a more defensive-oriented fifth starter.

Smart and LaRavia would be good candidates for the spot. 

It’s not just that the Lakers’ initial first unit of Doncic, Reaves, Hachimura, James and Ayton struggled to start the season (a minus-19.9 net rating in a small sample of 85 minutes). But lineups with James and Hachimura on the floor together have struggled, especially defensively.

There’s been a sentiment surrounding the Lakers that having Hachimura come off the bench could potentially risk losing his buy-in.

And those feelings weren’t without merit. 

LeBron James and Rui Hachimura high-fiving during a game. Getty Images

Outside of just raw statistical production, Hachimura was significantly more effective and efficient the previous two seasons as a starter compared to as a reserve. And the Lakers performed better while he was on the floor when he started vs. came off the bench.  

But Hachimura made it clear to The Athletic that he’s open to a bench role, with his main focus on winning ahead of his pending unrestricted free agency as the three-year, $51 million contract he signed with the Lakers in July 2023 expires after this season. 

And his actions have backed up those words so far.

There was the viral clip of him having one of his better individual defensive sequences during the fourth quarter of the Lakers’ comeback attempt that fell short against the Clippers on Thursday.

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Hachimura had a season-high eight rebounds in Saturday’s road win over the Mavericks, and also knocked down a pair of clutch 3s to help get the Lakers over the hump.

And he didn’t start in either game, showing that he’s willing to be engaged regardless of whether he’s a starter or reserve. 

Hachimura, and the Lakers, have emphasized being about winning. It’s time for both sides to fully embrace the change that could lead to more success.

“At the end of the day…I’m trying to help this team win,” Hachimura said earlier in the season. “That’s the whole purpose of being here. I’ve been here for four seasons now. I think I’m one of the guys that has been here the longest too, so I’m happy to be here playing with these guys, the coaches and everybody. I love these guys. Of course the contract and stuff is coming up. But at the end of the day I’m just trying to focus on every day, just in the moment.”

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Memphis Grizzles Its Way To Houston

Houston Rockets vs Memphis Grizzlies

January 26, 2026

Location: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas

TV: Space City Home Network

Radio:KBME Sports Talk 790

Online: Rockets App, SCHN+

Time: 7:00pm CST

Probable Starting Lineups

Rockets: Amen Thompson, Josh Okogie, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun

Grizzle: LAX Bro, Coward Of The River, Jwells, Santissimo, Jumbo Jackass Junior

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Celtics youngster selected for All-Star weekend Rising Star game

BOSTON — Boston Celtics two-way player Ron Harper Jr. has been selected to participate in the 2026 Castrol Rising Stars challenge as one of 7 G League players, the NBA announced on Monday. Harper Jr., who spent the last two training camps with the Celtics before signing a two-way contract with Boston, has been one of the G League’s most consistent players this season.

The Rising Stars game, which will take place at All-Star Weekend next month, is comprised of 21 standout NBA rookies and sophomores, plus seven players who have played in G League games.

Hall of Famers Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, and Tracy McGrady will serve as honorary coaches for the Castrol Rising Stars mini tourney, while former NBA player Austin Rivers will coach the G League Rising Stars team.

In addition to Harper Jr, the G League will be represented by Sean East II, Yang Hansen, Ron Harper Jr., David Jones Garcia, Yanic Konan Niederhouser, Alijah Martin, and Tristen Newton.

Ron Harper Jr. has been a Maine Celtics standout

Harper Jr has had a standout season in the G League, averaging 26.9 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, while shooting 49.7% from the field and 40.2% from three.

He’s appeared in 7 games for the Boston Celtics this season, most recently playing rotation minutes in a double-overtime win over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday.

Previously, Harper Jr spent two years with the Toronto Raptors and one year with the Detroit Pistons. He was on two-way contracts with both teams.

While Harper Jr. got good news regarding the Rising Stars challenge, fellow Celtics rookie Hugo Gonzalez did not. Gonzalez was not selected as one of 10 NBA rookies to participate in Rising Stars; those rookies are Cedric Coward, Egor Demin, VJ Edgecombe, Jeremiah Fears, Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, Tre Johnson, Kon Knueppel, Collin Murray-Boyles, and Derik Queen.